Dwyer Group acquires Countrywide Grounds Maintenance

The owner of Molly Maid US, Mr Rooter and Bright & Beautiful has just added to its family

Thanks to Brexit, many companies like financial-services firm JPMorgan are looking to move their businesses to other European cities. But while some industries are looking for an exit strategy, it looks like service-based franchise company Dwyer Group is increasing its presence on these shores. The owner of businesses like plumbing franchises Metro Rod and Mr Handyman has just revealed that it’s acquired Countrywide Grounds Maintenance, the groundskeeping franchise.

This vote of confidence in UK franchising comes just weeks after Dwyer Group announced that it had bought Bright & Beautiful, the home-cleaning franchise. And the purchase of Countrywide Grounds Maintenance, which comes with 50 franchisees in its network, marks the company’s tenth acquisition. This means that Dwyer Group now owns 19 brands and has over 2,850 franchisees and 700 employees in its family who are spread across North America, the UK and Germany.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mike Bidwell, president and CEO of Dwyer Group, said: “Countrywide brings three decades of experience in grounds maintenance to our organisation and is a great fit for Dwyer Group’s growing family of service brands in the United Kingdom.”

Having been co-founded by Martin and Simon Stott in 1985, the family-run business’s leadership team seems to be as thrilled by the purchase as Bidwell. “I am confident that under the guidance and leadership of Dwyer Group, the future of this organisation and our family’s legacy will continue to be nothing short of extraordinary,” said Simon Stott.

This news comes after several North Americanfranchisors have announced plans to expand in Blighty. Not only did US fitness franchise Orangetheory announce last month that it’s recruited a UK master franchisee to grow the brand but Canadian coffee franchise Tim Hortons also revealed that it would set up its first UK café in Glasgow this May. So despite an impending Brexit, it seems that confidence in the potential of franchising in Britain is still going strong.

About the Author

As acting web editor and resident Viking, Johansson ensures Elite Franchise is filled with engaging and eclectic entrepreneurial stories. While one of our most prolific franchise writers, he has sharpened his editorial teeth by writing about entertainment and fitness. Follow him on Twitter at @EricJohanssonLJ to catch up with his stream of consciousness.